Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Saturday's grid brings a clever mini-theme across three answers: "Grid of numbers and letters" appears in three different contexts. Whether you're looking for a mid-length challenge or warming up for the full-size puzzle, we've got hints and answers to keep you moving.
How The Midi Works
The Midi is the middle ground between the Mini and the classic NYT Crossword, typically featuring an 8x10 or 9x11 grid with 15-20 Across and 15-20 Down clues. It takes about 5-15 minutes to solve, making it perfect for a coffee break or commute. Solve the intersecting words, and when the grid is complete, you'll hear a satisfying chime.
New puzzles drop daily. The Midi offers more complexity than the Mini while remaining accessible for solvers who want a quick but substantial challenge.
Quick Scan
In a rush? Here's the at-a-glance breakdown for today's puzzle:
Grid Size: 9x9
Total Clues: 29 (13 Across, 16 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 26A. Utensil that Neo appears to bend in "The Matrix"
Gimme Clue: 1A. Supreme Court justice Samuel
Theme Spotted: “Fun With Numbers and Letters”
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Supreme Court justice Samuel
Hint: He served on the Court since 2006. Five letters, starts with A.
6A. "See ya!"
Hint: A short, casual farewell. Three letters.
9A. Modern digital tool for creating content, for short
Hint: Think artificial intelligence and text/image generation. Five letters.
10A. Salty bagel topping
Hint: Smoked fish, often paired with cream cheese. Three letters.
11A. Grid of numbers and letters ... in a work presentation
Hint: Microsoft Office's spreadsheet application. Eight letters.
13A. Falls asleep, with "out"
Hint: Colloquial term for losing consciousness. Five letters, starts with C.
14A. Grid of numbers and letters, informally ... in a puzzle book
Hint: Short for crossword. Four letters.
16A. Something that might have an unsubscribe button
Hint: Check your inbox. Five letters.
18A. Grid of numbers and letters ... in a game
Hint: Daubers and numbered balls are involved. Eight letters.
23A. One half of a bikini
Hint: Top or bottom? This one's the support piece. Three letters.
24A. ___ silence
Hint: What you might hear between songs on certain stations. Five letters.
25A. Health class topic
Hint: Three letters. Not the gender, the act.
26A. Utensil that Neo appears to bend in "The Matrix"
Hint: "There is no ___." Five letters.
Down Hints
1D. What some cheeses and wines do well
Hint: They get better with time. Three letters.
2D. Comics supervillain Luthor
Hint: Superman's archenemy. Three letters.
3D. Company name ender: Abbr.
Hint: Three-letter abbreviation for a business structure.
4D. ___ kwon do
Hint: Korean martial art. Three letters.
5D. Painting supplies for van Gogh and Monet
Hint: Tube-based medium, not watercolors. Eight letters.
6D. Word before "date," "faith" or "spot"
Hint: Going in without knowing what you'll find. Five letters.
7D. The "sun," in sunny-side up eggs
Hint: The yellow center. Four letters.
8D. Old flames
Hint: Former romantic partners. Four letters.
12D. "___ he's a jolly good fellow ..."
Hint: Three-letter word that starts the classic song lyric. Rhymes with "or."
14D. Antianxiety drug with a palindromic name
Hint: Five letters. Same forward and backward.
15D. Top part of many a Halloween costume
Hint: Hairpiece, often synthetic. Three letters.
16D. Abates
Hint: Recedes like the tide. Four letters.
17D. Bog down
Hint: Get stuck in the mud, metaphorically. Four letters.
19D. ___ and gown
Hint: Worn at graduation. Three letters.
20D. Hubbub
Hint: Commotion or fuss. Three letters.
21D. Metropolis nicknamed "Cidade"
Hint: Brazilian city, host of Carnival. Three letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Supreme Court justice Samuel
Answer: ALITO
6A. "See ya!"
Answer: BYE
9A. Modern digital tool for creating content, for short
Answer: GENAI
10A. Salty bagel topping
Answer: LOX
11A. Grid of numbers and letters ... in a work presentation
Answer: EXCELFILE
13A. Falls asleep, with "out"
Answer: CONKS
14A. Grid of numbers and letters, informally ... in a puzzle book
Answer: XWORD
16A. Something that might have an unsubscribe button
Answer: EMAIL
18A. Grid of numbers and letters ... in a game
Answer: BINGOCARD
23A. One half of a bikini
Answer: BRA
24A. ___ silence
Answer: RADIO
25A. Health class topic
Answer: SEX
26A. Utensil that Neo appears to bend in "The Matrix"
Answer: SPOON
Down Answers
1D. What some cheeses and wines do well
Answer: AGE
2D. Comics supervillain Luthor
Answer: LEX
3D. Company name ender: Abbr.
Answer: INC
4D. ___ kwon do
Answer: TAE
5D. Painting supplies for van Gogh and Monet
Answer: OILCOLORS
6D. Word before "date," "faith" or "spot"
Answer: BLIND
7D. The "sun," in sunny-side up eggs
Answer: YOLK
8D. Old flames
Answer: EXES
12D. "___ he's a jolly good fellow ..."
Answer: FOR
14D. Antianxiety drug with a palindromic name
Answer: XANAX
15D. Top part of many a Halloween costume
Answer: WIG
16D. Abates
Answer: EBBS
17D. Bog down
Answer: MIRE
19D. ___ and gown
Answer: CAP
20D. Hubbub
Answer: ADO
21D. Metropolis nicknamed "Cidade"
Answer: RIO
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 26A "Utensil that Neo appears to bend in 'The Matrix'" for SPOON. The reference to the iconic 1999 film scene is a pop culture deep cut that rewards movie buffs while stumping everyone else. The clue plays on the famous "There is no spoon" line, making the answer satisfying when it clicks.
Wordplay Winner: 9A "Modern digital tool for creating content, for short" for GENAI. This clue reflects how quickly generative AI has entered the crossword lexicon. It's a contemporary answer that feels fresh and tests whether solvers keep up with tech acronyms.
Quick Fill: 6A "See ya!" for BYE. Three letters, no tricks. It's the kind of gimme that gets you started and helps unlock the surrounding grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Today's puzzle rewards pattern recognition across the three "Grid of numbers and letters" clues. Once you spot the repeating lead-in, you'll know 11A, 14A, and 18A share a structural link. Solve one and the other two open up faster.
The short fill plays heavily in the corners. Start with the three-letter gimmes (6A BYE, 10A LOX, 23A BRA) to build momentum, then work inward toward the longer answers. Saturday puzzles often hide their hardest clues in the middle of the grid.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? Between the Matrix movie trivia and the recurring grid theme, this Saturday puzzle packed more personality than most. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
